Most common no-trade destinations.

[sureLoss]

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/crai...deDestinations

The Oilers have three things working against them – climate, lack of success and they’re a Canadian team, which is one common characteristic on these lists. Given the choice, agents said most players don’t necessarily want to play in Canada.

“I hate to say it but it’s the Canadian teams,” said one agent. “Vancouver would be the most desirable out of those teams. There’s Winnipeg and Edmonton, Toronto because of all the bad media and Montreal -- either you love it or hate it.”

“I can tell you, it’s pretty much automatic that Edmonton and Winnipeg are the first two names anyone comes up with,” said another agent. “Winnipeg is at least winning a little bit. Edmonton is a complete nightmare.”

No surprise that Edmonton is the #1 team that players list as a place they won't go to.

For those can't read the article:

1. Edmonton
2. Winnipeg
3. Sabres
4. Senators and Leafs tied

Honourable mention to New Jersey, Florida and Arizona.

Agents didn't name Calgary by name so I guess we got that going for us.

[Street Pharmacist]

So there are multiple reasons Edmonton is No Good? Great

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Agents didn't name Calgary by name so I guess we got that going for us.

Which is good....

[indes]

Where was this when all the Jets fans were claiming Calgary and Winterpeg are about the same? lol

[dash_pinched]

I'm surprised that Phoenix/Glendale is on the non-desireable list, I guess it's likely because of the instability of the franchise (ownership etc.) over the last few years and who knows if the team will be re-locating in just over three years from now.

[Imported_Aussie]

So if players have a list of 10 teams they cannot be traded to, with the 8 noted above as the most common, the Flames may may more able to pick up these players. Unless they are #9 or #10.

Calgary does lack the winning record over the last few seasons, but is improving and can add to that being a tax friendly location for players (if they reside within the province for tax purposes).

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm surprised that Phoenix/Glendale is on the non-desireable list, I guess it's likely because of the instability of the franchise (ownership etc.) over the last few years and who knows if the team will be re-locating in just over three years from now.

That and they'll never spend to make the team better. Gotta be frustrating knowing there'll never be help coming unless there's a home run in drafting

[Weitz]

Can anyone actually post the whole article?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Can anyone actually post the whole article?

No that isn't allowed.

[saillias]

Would love to see the HF main board reaction to this

[Locke]

No surprises here. Edmonton is terrible.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That and they'll never spend to make the team better. Gotta be frustrating knowing there'll never be help coming unless there's a home run in drafting

They seem to be increasing their chances of landing Connor McDavid, he certainly would be a step in the right direction.

[skudr248]

If I had a choice, my top picks would be Lightening, Panthers, LA, Anaheim, San Jose, Arizona... I like warmth, why do I have to live here

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Locke

Which is good....

gunga-lagunga

[Senator Clay Davis]

So basically if Edmonton starts winning again, they can elevate themselves to....the 2nd least desirable place to be traded to. But the bottom three are pretty much locked in there forever. No good cities, no good weather, no good teams.

[Mony]

Surprised Florida is up there. Not the best team these last few years, but the weather! Also, maybe lack of fans that care.

[GranteedEV]

I've always found it interesting how hockey players dislike passionate fanbases. You look at some other sports like football or basketball, and the rabid fanbases and associated media are actually a bigger draw than "fairweather" cities. Criticism is taken to heart and channelled positively rather than made a source of discomfort. The Knicks have been one of the worst NBA teams for the last decade and half (Oilers level of gongshow at times), the city is cold as any in Canada, and the media there is Toronto levels of vicious as that's the top sports draw... And most of the league would die to play there. Even the Raptors are getting a reputation as a desirable destination.

I guess in those sports the youth systems are based through high schools and colleges where players grow up playing as much for their peers in the stands as for themselves, whereas in hockey and maybe baseball, players are more disconnected from the fans early on, and never develop that adrenaline rush of wanting the crowd to go wild until well into their pro career.

[Brewmaster]

I'm guessing the media and fan attention drive some players away from playing in Canadian cities. If things aren't going well in a Canadian market, there's no escaping the questions and negative publicity. We've seen two prime examples this season with Edmonton and Toronto. No player wants to get booed by their own fans or have their own jerseys thrown on the ice.

[polak]

Calgary has a reputation for being full of rich people so maybe these (foolish) athletes think it's a millionares playground??

Just don't tell them that everyone who is mega-rich here is over the age of 50 and they'll probably end up going to Ranchmans more than any other bar...

[FlamesAddiction]

It seems like reputation is the biggest common denominator. Although there are a few "winter" cities at the top, the addition of Florida and Arizona as honorable mentions would indicate that capability or willingness to build a successful team is at the top of the list. The comment about Winnipeg at least winning a little to put them ahead of Edmonton, would also drive that home.

This is why I think management in cities with the weather and "Canadian" factors, really need to protect their image and reputation. The Oilers shot themselves in the foot in that regard.